For artists and art fans in Bozeman and beyond

Tag Archives: web site

Back when this blog began, I noted a few reasons artists might blog. Since then, I’ve met a number of artists who are potentially interested, but aren’t sure how to go about it. Often they assume that because creating a web site can be daunting, creating a blog must be similarly difficult.

Not so! Typical blogging software makes creation much easier. The key is to keep it simple, realizing that the content–for example, your art and anything you choose to say about it– is far more important than style. The easiest way to learn is to try it for yourself. Just go to wordpress.com and follow the instructions to sign up and create your blog.

Never get use to it, by jROD

At this time, there doesn’t seem to be much blog activity among Bozeman artists. One exception is jROD, whose blog at jrodart.wordpress.com uses the same WordPress system that Art Bozeman does. He uses it to to let people know what he’s up to in his art and his (usually art-related) travels. The picture above is a recently-completed commission.

Note that a blog can itself be an artist’s web site, and a more effective one than many existing designs. The simplest site imaginable, a list of works with titles, notes, and perhaps prices, is precisely suited to the blog format. Each work might be one post. For examples, see former co-blogger Jon Conkey’s Themeworks blog, or on WordPress, randomly chosen shanti marie’s A painting a day. In addition, you can create separate, linked pages like the Bozeman Artists or the Event Info pages listed above the banner on Art Bozeman.

WordPress has many good features, including zero cost, but also important is the upgrade path. If you outgrow the limitations on wordpress.com or want to move to your own domain (e.g. greatartist.com), you can continue to use the free WordPress software, and convert your previous posts to the new location. So it’s a good way to test the waters before spending any money. By the way, you can make your blog private, so that only those with a password can view it. You don’t have to do your testing in public. And don’t think a blog is something that needs daily tending. It’s your site; do with it as you will.